IAG Cargo next generation giants meet for the first time

IAG Cargo’s two largest fleet members have met in a rare photo opportunity for onlookers at London Stansted. The Boeing 747-8F and Airbus A380 are the largest aircrafts currently in operation from each aircraft manufacturer. The A380, which was recently delivered to British Airways, is undertaking induction flights over the summer before entering service later this year.

To optimise its A380 fleet for belly-hold cargo, IAG Cargo has purchased two additional ULD positions in the hold of the aircraft. It is also the first carrier in the world to receive an A380 with an improved maximum take-off weight, 12 tonnes heavier than other A380s currently flying, allowing it to carry more cargo. The aircraft, which is enabled with air conditioning in the forward hold and heating and ventilation in the rear hold, will also be well-suited to the shipment of temperature-sensitive goods, with IAG Cargo now able to set and maintain hold temperature to within 1˚C accuracy.

IAG Cargo’s next generation Boeing 747-8F aircraft operate from London Stansted, and provide both scheduled and charter operations for its customers. The aircraft provide 16% more volume and 18 tonnes additional lift compared to the 747-400F which they replaced in 2010. With a maximum payload of 136 tonnes the freighters offer a heavy lift proposition to IAG Cargo’s customer base.